4 thoughts on “The Health Edge: Functional Medicine and the N=1”

  1. Allissa Harter

    Hi Mark and Hi John,
    I am not sure where to find correct information about Fructose Malabsorption. After a year long struggle of digestive and intestinal issues after a food poisoning episode, a friend of mind – Jane- was diagnosed with Fructose Malabsorption. She is currently off her acid blockers and this has helped her to feel better. I pointed her some of your past podcasts where Rifaximin was discussed. But, now I wonder – is this a real diagnosis a garbage can label?
    If so, now what? A low FODMAP diet, which sounds impossible to live off of.

    Could you recommend some appropriate reading material and resources?
    Thank you from an Avid Listener!
    Allissa

    Reply
    • Mark Pettus

      Allissa,
      Thank you for connecting with The Health Edge and for your question. I will address this in more detail with our next podcast. Fructose malabsorption is a bit of a “waste basket” diagnosis based on an individuals response to a FODMAP (or a similar approach like the specific carbohydrate diet). There have been some studies suggesting a FODMAP diet to be helpful with symptoms from IBS. To your point. this is not a sustainable long-term nutritional strategy and best considered for someone struggling with IBS for e.g. 4-8 weeks, to see how they respond. There are many modifiable factors that might contribute to intolerance of simple sugars like fructose; e.g. long-term acid blockers, dysbiosis, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth); gluten sensitivity; chronic stress and disruptive sleep patterns. I’ll provide more detail in our next HE episode! Thanks so much for checking in. Mark

      Reply
      • Allissa

        Your help is sooooo appreciated!!

        Thank you and I look forward to your podcasts with John. Thank you for the work the two of you do!

        Reply
  2. Barb Chapman

    My husband also struggles with Fructose Malabsorption. Could you give a link to the podcast you referred to in the above conversation? Thank you.

    Reply

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